BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
A new video game is changing the way people think about cognitive health. The Mind Guardian, a free app designed to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, recently flagged 73-year-old Paz Rey Duarte as “at risk” for cognitive impairment. Though the app does not provide medical diagnoses, its AI-driven tests for memory and attention have earned backing from leading neurological experts. For Rey, the results were enough to take action—seeking professional advice and monitoring her memory more closely.
The science behind the game
The Mind Guardian is no ordinary video game. Developed by scientists at the atlanTTic Research Center at the University of Vigo and the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, in collaboration with Samsung, it is designed to detect early signs of cognitive decline.
The app, which launched for Android users in Spain on March 11, is free and recommended for people over 55 years old. Though it does not provide a medical diagnosis, it acts as a screening tool, using artificial intelligence and memory-based games to assess cognitive function.
It analyzes episodic, procedural, and semantic memory, all of which are affected in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The results are endorsed by both the Spanish Society of Neurology and the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Mental Health.
For users flagged as “at risk,” the app suggests two options: consulting a doctor for further evaluation or retesting in six months. Rey has opted for a mix of both—staying alert to changes while seeking professional advice.
From research lab to real-world impact
The idea for The Mind Guardian was born in the atlanTTic Research Center laboratories in Vigo, surrounded by rolling hills and rain-soaked chestnut trees. It was here that Luis Anido, a telecommunications professor at the University of Vigo, began bridging the worlds of neuroscience and technology.
In 2014, as dementia rates climbed in Galicia, Anido and his team discovered that video games could be a powerful tool for engaging older adults. Their research led to the development of Panoramix, a series of games designed to assess cognitive function. Clinical trials yielded a 97.1 percent accuracy rate in detecting cognitive impairment, sparking interest from the medical community.
But for Anido, the work became personal. During this time, he learned that his 88-year-old mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “She does not remember me anymore,” he says, gazing out at the rugged landscape surrounding the university campus. “And I do not remember what she was like before the disease, either.”
This personal loss reinforced his mission: to create a tool that could help others spot the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s—while there is still time to act.
How early detection can change lives
Neuroscientist Carlos Spuch, who works at the Galicia Sur Health Research Institute, has been deeply involved in the evaluation of The Mind Guardian. He believes that early detection is the key to slowing cognitive decline.
“The key with these diseases is early detection. Diagnosis usually occurs when symptoms are already quite evident, and it is too late,” Spuch explains. The game provides an accessible way for older adults to assess their cognitive health without the need for a lengthy medical consultation.
“If you wanted to apply the same tests to a patient that are applied through The Mind Guardian, it would require a two-hour consultation with a trained professional,” he says. “But this allows them to be carried out very easily, at home, in 45 minutes, through a game.”
Another advantage? The comfort of home testing. Many patients experience “white coat syndrome”—the anxiety that comes with medical settings, which can affect test performance. By using an app in a familiar environment, users may get more accurate results.
For those flagged as at risk, Spuch emphasizes that the app’s results should be seen as a warning sign, not a diagnosis. “It is a message that you have to change some habits,” he explains. To slow down deterioration, he recommends exercise, avoiding ultra-processed foods, and—most importantly—staying socially active.
The power of social connection in brain health
While diet and exercise are well-known factors in brain health, Spuch believes that social engagement plays a critical role in slowing cognitive decline. “Social activity is what makes the difference in terms of cognition,” he says. “The worst thing a person with cognitive impairment can do is isolate themselves.”
For Rey, this insight resonates. She has been part of the Association of Relatives of Alzheimer’s and Other Dementia Patients of Galicia (AFAGA) for years, initially as a way to stay active. Now, with the potential risk detected by the app, the community has taken on a new level of importance.
“What I most enjoy about belonging to AFAGA is the social aspect,” she says. “I do not know if it will work [to slow cognitive decline], but if it is based on us having a good time, we are having a good time.”
She also sees value in knowing what might be ahead. “If something is going on inside my brain, I want to know about it,” Rey says. “To see if there is some kind of preventative medicine that I could be missing out on because I am afraid of test results. I prefer to be conscious of what I am going to face and be prepared for it.”
A small tool with big potential
As Alzheimer’s and dementia rates continue to rise, tools like The Mind Guardian could be game-changers—providing a bridge between early concerns and professional diagnosis. With its backing from Spain’s top neurology experts and Samsung’s support, the app represents an exciting step forward in accessible, tech-driven healthcare.
For now, Rey and thousands of others are using the app as a first line of defense against cognitive decline. “It may not be perfect,” she says, “but if it helps even a little, it is worth it.”
